Boathouse Theatre Arts
Registered Charity Number 1156740
Annual Report
for the period Year Ending July 2025
BOATHOUSE
Theatre Arts
Boathouse Theatre Arts
Jackson Hall
Portland Place
Hastings
East Sussex
TN34 IQN
Boathouse Theatre Arts
Charity Number: 1156740

Boathouse Theatre Arts
Organisational Inforniation for the year ended 31 July 2025
Legal Form: Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
Governing Document: Constitution (Last amended in 2019)
Committee Members: Chair- Rachel Lowden
Treasurer-Nicola Rowland
Trustee - Felicity Parsons
Trustee - Sally Marchant
Trustee - Melissa Rowland
Trustee - Lawrence Jordon
Bankers Melissa Rowland
Sally Marchant
Boathouse Theatre Arts
Charity Number: 1156740

Boathouse Theatre Arts
The report from the Chair and Trustee's for the year ending July 2025
The challenges in the current climate continue to be a concern for us as a small
organisation. There is a high level of deprivation and poverty in Hastings, and
we continue to try and be as inclusive as possible for those with different needs,
who may experience more financial hardship and fewer opportunities.
This means we rely heavily on our volunteers to support paid practitioners to
deliver workshops. We have had some new volunteers join this year as well as
some constant stalwarts who support both adult and children's groups. Our CEO
supervises the volunteers and continues to invest high levels of energy and
commitment over and above in order to sustain us as an organisation.
Funding applications have been submitted for various organisations, and we
have been unsuccessful in some but fortunate within the last month to be
awarded £5000 from a funder with Sussex Community Foundation.
The need for groups continues and the waiting lists grows so we began a
Tuesday evening added adult group in Ore which is in its embryonic stage but
developing fast. We were awarded money from postcode lottery players in
2024, specifically to Invest in a new project and decided it was best place here.
Unfortunately, the venue we were using for our adult group become too
expensive and was inaccessible for some. We are trialling a new studio in the
town which is at our limit in terms of payment for hiring but is run by another
local charity of whom we have close bonds with, and are continuing to work in
partnership with.
Our new website and Instagram page have been launched which will increase
awareness and spread news of our upcoming shows and socials. We have
invested in this with a view that we can attract more donations, of which during
this fmancial year we haven't had any.
We welcomed a new trustee to the board in January who is a participant at
Boathouse and wrote the fabulous pantomime we saw at Christmas. Lawrence
has Autism and is a gifted writer and perfonner and we are so thrilled for the
Boathouse Theatre Arts
Charity Number: 1156740

skills he is bringing to the board and the voice of lived experience as an active
member of the adult group.
It is a privilege to continue to work with a group of committed and passionate
trustees, and to continue to work towards a sustainable robust fllLqncial structure
that can scaffold the creative and powerful work our members and practitioners
co create.
All our participants have learning difficulties to varying degrees, some are
non-verbal and some have mobility challenges. Boathouse provides weekly
sessions that engage people in singing, acting and perforniance.
R.A. Lowden
CEO report
Boathouse Theatre Arts continues to meet the needs and wants of our
comrnunity through the deliverance of theatre workshops.
We now have 3 groups that each deliver weekly theatre workshop session
during terni time.
The Sunday Adult Group continues to meet the need of 25 members. They have
recently relocated to purpose built, fully accessible theatre studio, built by our
local Mencap. The cost remains the same as the previous venue. Over the past
year, the group has welcomed a new member of paid staff and a volunteer. They
have enjoyed several workshops from visiting artists, both building their skills
and forging relationships within the community. One particular workshop was
around comedy and was especially well received by many of our members!
The Children's Group continues to meet the need of l O children and their
families. One member has his siblings join in, which allows them build upon
their family bond. We have two parents who choose to remain in the session
and support the team and members in the workshop. Parents have access to a
relaxed are4 with hot drinks and biscuits, and this h&8 been a vital lifeline for
several, allowing them some respite and the chance to talk to similar families.
Our new group is our Tuesday Adult Group. This is held Tuesday evenings at a
loca] community centre with a hall and stage. This opened January 2025 and
currently meets the needs of 8 members. It is run by one Lead Practitioner and
supported by one paid support and one volunteer. As the group expands. we will
adjust the staffing.
Last summer. we took our Singing and Signing Choir to a few local community
events.
Boathouse Theatre Arts
Charity Number: 1156740

Last Christmas saw Boathouse Theatre Arts put on their f￿st ever pantomime!
This was a joint production of the Sunday and Children's Groups and was very
well received. We packed the theatre for one afternoon and received many
compliments on the professional deliverance of the panto.
Through our public events and productions, we often see a rise in interest as to
what we offer and donations. We have one family now donating monthly, and
several people interested in us have joined our Tuesday Group.
We have since created our website, which we worked closely with local website
builders. and this brings in extra interest. I aim to send out a quarterly newsletter
to those signed up to it- generally a mix of family members &nd local
community groups.
M Rowland
MILL(e
R.A LOW￿ k4•wDL
J s/10/202S
i&lio Izottr
k50F¥5AN L*W FEPI C E •DEDApJ
Ieiio fL74
Boathouse Theatre Arts
Charity Number: 1156740

Boathouse Theatre Arts
Year end 31 July 2025
Financials and Treasurer's Report
Prepared by Nicola Rowland
10th October 2025

8oathouse Theatre Arts
Treasurer's Report Year Endln8 31 July 2025
Educatlon and Admlnlstratlon
Year ended 2025
Year ended 2024
Grants Recelved
io.cth.
8,080.CKI
Individual Donations IDirert Credit)
L126.84
li.3￿.
Friends of Boathouse
360.IX)
445.1))
Income from Sesslons and Show5
7.449.14
6,512.67
TOTAL FUND INCOME
18.935.98
26,337.67
EXPENDITURE
Freelance Teachers
7,189.99
5,118.94
Venue Hlre Ilncl Ha5tin85 Centre Xmas Show)
3.100.(MJ
2,710.50
prr Adminlstrator and Assoclated G￿S
S,W.68
4.988.09
Printing and Publlclty
282.21
1,864.49
Excursions
1,186.75
Insurances
162.76
139.60
ststlonery and Sundry Expendkture
333.lJ)
16.762.64
16.468.37
EDUCATION AND ADMINISThATION FVND TOTAL FOR THE YEAR
2.173.34
9,869.30
BALANCE AT BANK BIFWD
15,983.75
6,114.45
SURPLUSIIDEFicin FOR THE YEAR
2.173.34
9.869.30
BALANCE AT BANK CIFWD
18.157.09
15,983.75
RESERVED FUNDS
SURPLUSIIDEFIC
7,5(Kl.(Ki
10.657.09
18.157.09
5,OCKI.CK)
10,983.75
15,983.75

Boathouse Theatre Arts Treasurer's Report
Reporting period - August 2024 to July 2025
Income Overvlew
Grants and sessions have both increased in the year, however income from donations and Friends of
Boathouse have de¢￿ased. If we can maintain a steady flow of grant and donation income, along
with consistent session attendance, Boathouse will continue to thrive. 2024,5 donations were skewed
by the £IO.000 received from Gardeners Books.
Summary of Grants Recelved
Postcode Lottery
Neighbourly Foundation
Sussex Community Foundation
Designated to Children's Group
Undesignated
Undesignated
£4,(KK)
£i,i)00
Expenses Overview
Overall the expenses for the year have remained consistent between 2024 and 2025, however in the
current year there has been increasd spend in both wages and hall hire. In 2024 Boathouse Theatre
Arts funded a trip to see G￿ase in London. There was also the cost of the website build in 2024
which has not been repeated in this year.
Cash positlon
The bank balance at the end of the year was £18.157. At the lowest point of the year it fell to
£13,910 and peaked at £20,814.
Notes and Observations
I have Increased the reserves to £7,500 from £5,000 which Is enough to cover 6 months worth of
wages and hall hire.
The Sunday and Tuesday groups are running at a loss. The Childrens group is in profit only due to the
grant received from the Postcode Lottery.
Looklng Ahead
We need to ensure that grants continue to come in regularly.
Is the Tuesday Group viable. Have numbers increased?
Are there opportunites to Increase Friends of Boathouse or fundraising etsewhere?
Are the numbers at Children's group increasing?

8 I 8